Verizon to Sponsor Track & Field's Millrose Games Feb. 1

NEW YORK - As part of its sponsorship of USA Track & Field, Verizon has signed on as the title sponsor of the Millrose Games, the world's oldest and most prestigious indoor track meet.

During the three-year sponsorship, the event will be named the Verizon Millrose Games.

"The Millrose Games are the premiere indoor track and field event in the world," said Bruce Gordon, Verizon president for Retail Markets. "Our sponsorship of this time-honored event reflects Verizon's commitment to the youth of our country and the communities where our customers live and work. We are especially proud that we can be involved in such a quality event in New York City, our headquarters city."

The 2002 Verizon Millrose Games, which will be held Feb. 1 in New York City, will be the 95th edition of the longest-running sporting event in Madison Square Garden's history. Along with title sponsorship privileges, Verizon receives premium on-camera signage, commercial inventory during the event's national broadcast, on-site hospitality, and the opportunity to sponsor the Verizon Millrose Games Youth Clinic.

"We are thrilled that Verizon has agreed to title sponsor the oldest and most important indoor track meet in the world and we look forward to having them on board for this great event," stated Mark Bingham, president of Octagon Marketing N.A., which owns and manages the Millrose Games.

As part of its larger sponsorship of USATF, Verizon also sponsors the USA vs. THE WORLD television broadcast, supports the Golden Spike Tour and U.S. National Team, and works with USATF to develop ground-breaking Youth and Junior programs.

After announcing its sponsorship of USA Track & Field last April, Verizon sponsored the 2001 Verizon Youth Series, a set of youth track and field events that comprise USA Track & Field's junior development program, and recently named University of Michigan freshman runner Alan Webb 2001 Verizon Youth Athlete of the Year.

Throughout its 94-year history, the Millrose Games have featured some of track and field's greatest legends including Jesse Owens, Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Carl Lewis, Gwen Torrence and Mary Decker-Slaney. The Millrose Games features events in sprinting, hurdles, pole vault and high jump and distance running, including the famed Wanamaker Mile.

For more information about the event, visit the Verizon Millrose Games Web site at www.millrosegames.com.

For the event, Verizon customers will receive a 10-percent discount off $25 and $35 seats. They should show a copy of their current bill at the Madison Square Garden box office to take advantage of the discount.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.